Chairman Senate for consensual FATA reforms

PESHAWAR: Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani on Wednesday said the matter of FATA reforms has been demanding attention as well as sincere efforts towards resolution since long and any reform must be initiated after taking all the stakeholders on board.

He expressed these views while talking to media persons during his visit to Khyber Agency, FATA to condole with Haji Shah Gul Afridi and Senator Taj Muhammad Afridi, the sad demise of their sister.

He said that the initiation of work on FATA reforms is a positive development and a step in a right direction.

He however, observed that people of FATA have been through difficult times and political leadership across the country need to sit together for bringing prosperity to this area and its people.

He was of the view that any law, regulation or reform process may possible have some shortcomings as the need for improvement never ends.

"The matter which is in debate in the House as well as Committee of the whole, requires timely and intelligent decision making which can bring positive results for people of FATA and all Pakistan", he said.

Talking about the impact of terrorist activities, Chairman Senate said that after the war on terror, concrete steps are needed to address the matter.

He emphasized upon the role the Upper House of Parliament has to play in this regard as the symbol of Federation and the House which has to guarantee equal rights to all federating units especially less developed areas.

Chairman Senate expressed resolve that Senate will continue playing its Constitutional and lawful role in protecting the rights of people of FATA and will formulate such recommendations that can compensate for the lack of basic facilities guaranteed for people of Pakistan and bring FATA into national mainstream.